The year 2018 represented several significant milestones in the Bridgestone Group history—the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Company’s Mission, “Serving Society with Superior Quality,” and the award of the prestigious Deming Prize that recognizes achievement in Total Quality Management—a truly remarkable accomplishment by the Company five decades ago. The past year also marked the 30th anniversary of the first step on Bridgestone’s path to globalization—the Firestone acquisition and merger that occurred in 1988.
These milestones were significant at the time because they were critical steps in defining the Group’s culture. They are even more important today because they are foundational to the Company Bridgestone has become the global Company it aims to be.
Five decades ago, Bridgestone set out to achieve something bold; with it came huge responsibility. “Superior Quality” defines the Company’s aspiration to offer the best for customers and society, not only in terms of its products, services and technology, but in all of its corporate activities. “Serving Society” takes this commitment even further, addressing Bridgestone’s passion for improving the safety and lives of people everywhere. This dedication to addressing these societal responsibilities comes to life in the Group’s global corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment, Our Way to Serve.
The Bridgestone Group introduced Our Way to Serve in 2017, focused around three Priority Areas: Mobility, People and Environment. These areas are supported by six Management Fundamentals that articulate the high expectations the Company has for operating as a responsible business. Management Fundamentals address Compliance, Business Continuity, Human Rights, Safety, Procurement and Quality.
To advance these Priority Areas and the Management Fundamentals, Bridgestone named a long-time senior executive to lead the Group’s sustainability strategy, engaging the Global Executive Committee members, Strategic Business Unit presidents, members of the Global CSR Enhancement Committee, Global Quality Management Committee and Bridgestone Group employees worldwide.
In 2018, the Bridgestone Group further operationalized Our Way to Serve when it:
- Implemented a Global Human Rights Policy reinforcing the Company’s commitment to responsible labor practices, including diversity and inclusion;
- Launched a Global Sustainable Procurement Policy outlining the Bridgestone Group’s expectations for an environmentally, socially and economically responsible supply chain; and,
- Introduced the global Code of Conduct articulating the high standards to which everyone at the Bridgestone Group holds themselves and each other accountable.
